Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-09-25

ing OLD Texas! ne IcrEyiuau inioIueu US
that the first house was 25 miles distant,
as every place intervening had been burned
by General Steel. He whispered 10 me
that my companion was 4 deserter from an
Arkansas regiment going home, and that /
needed his company on the road.
This was about o'clock in the morning.
The Arkansas gentleman and myself struck
ont in fine style, and so anxious were we
10 reach the twenty-five mile house that
we swan creeks-no bridges in that
county, all having been burned. In feet
we were panic-stricken, and anxious to
meet some human being other than jay
hawker. We made good time, and ny z
o'clock that morning reached our longed-
for destination
As we neared the gate not less than q
dozen vicious dogs came pell-mell to greet
us. / Skinned up sspling, and on look
ing around discovered my Arkansas friend
sitting on top Of one of the large gate posts.
The old farmer, who had all the appear.
ance of jsyhawker himself, soon came to
our relief. We were 50 worn out by our
terrific tramp that after partaking of a
tolerable breakfast we remained there I'M
ill the next morning We couldn't have
walked another mile that day. My Ar
kansas friend hadn't cent Of filthy lucre,
and when l informed him that / had
enough Confederate money, no matter
what the charges, TO carry Us both through,
his mouth spread from ear to ear, and m
angelic smile Oyerspread his innocent
couplenance that caused me a pleasurable
sensation. There was the look upon his
face which limners gave to the beloved
disciples"
a. fellow feeling makes us wondrous
kind Our long, lonely walks and con-
versations on iunumerakle subjects created
a brc,herly feeling between that msn and
myself that can never be etfaced. | often
compare he and | 10 Virgil and Dante
walking through Inferno, especially when
some Notwithstanding iayhawker had stop
ped us, but finding us such pitiable objects
would allow us to proceed.
We had travelled nearly 200 miles to-
gether when he one morning informed me
that was our last day together, as he lived
ONLY about 20 miles further on, but that If
! should stay that night with him he
would give me the best his poor shanty
afforded.
That evening in the pine forest, "a We
trudged along, the thunder, lightning and
rain were terrific, and l reflected how
would feel were alone i'm such lonesome,
God .forsaken country. felt the need Of
that poor Arkansas soldiers company.
Near dark he exclaimed, II live right down
this path"
On travelling a few hundred yards We
came upon dilapidated shanty, with no
clearing around it, and containing one
room below, with an attic above. His peo-
ple consisted of brother and sister-in-law;
merely looking up and exclaiming: Why,
John, You back again." No Handwriting
or other demonstrations Of JOY after sepa-
ration of three years.
Wasn't this greeting for a poor fellow
who had been battling for his country 70
long? We were drenched with rain, ana
after partaking of slice Of bacon and
corn dodger my partner and myself climbed
n ladder up to the attic, where we rested
our weary frames on pile OF straw--per-
haps the same straw he had slept upon be-
fore going to the war.
mentally calculated. Great God, how
can such things be? On departing l fe.t
such deep pity for that poor boy that !
requested him to walk piece with me.
pulled ont my roll Of Confederate money,
and telling him that he might need even
such poor money "a that, handed him
several $40 bills and babe him gOodby.
When turned back 10 get last look at
him this hard Arkansas deserter was weep
ing like child.
Although felt such friendship and con-
fidence in that poor deserter i never en-
lightened him rs TO the hidden wealth IN
side of my alligator boots. In fact meyer
took my boots off during the journey.
Many long, weary miles, through lone
some woods, did I trudge onward by my
self after leaving that poor soldier, and
when at last hove in sight Of Shreveport,
footsore and hungry, my heart went up in
thankfulness to the Great Creator No
more walking now. Tomorrow the stage
driver will call out "all aboard" and /,
with money in plenty, and anticipating a
welcome at the end of my "hard old row. "
will soon reach Nayasota, the terminus OF
the Houston & Texas Central railway
where will board the cars and reach old
Houston in few short hours.
| hETlNlUR Nv iiehb "scs GU
absence of several years was calculated to
make the heart glad indeed, especially to
one who had been raised in the place. I'm
agination cannot conceive the contrast be-
tween east and west of the Mississippi.
had been accust med to seeing soldiers
in rags, and many Of them barefooted,
brigadier and ajor.generals dressed in
jeans clothing. with nothing to indicate
their rank. Here officers were dressed in
magnificent suits gray and ladies paraded
the streets decked out in silks and satins.
Theatres open every night. Being in rsgs
myself the first thing in order was 10 get
suit ofclothing, and here is what they cost
Cloth enough 10 make gray uniform, 81
800; pair of boots, $500; hat, $500, and
other things in proportion. But this WAS
in Confederate money.